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Ross returns as Podsednik heads to DL

Ross returns as Podsednik heads to DL

BOSTON -- The game of musical chairs that has been Boston's outfield this season continued on Tuesday, when Cody Ross was activated and Scott Podsednik was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Ross, who was a key contributor for the Red Sox earlier in the season, had been out since May 19 with a fractured navicular bone in his left foot.

"It feels great," said Ross. "I'm really excited. Obviously it's been, I think, a month to the day or maybe a couple of days, but I'm just looking forward to getting back out there and helping the guys win and getting back on track."

Ross batted seventh in manager Bobby Valentine's lineup for Tuesday night's game, playing left field against lefty starter Mark Buehrle.

Podsednik was one of the players who stepped up most while Ross and other outfielders were sidelined. He suffered a mild left groin strain on Sunday, and begrudgingly accepted the team's decision to put him on the disabled list.

"It's not [just] a few days [he would be out], it's probably not two weeks. When it gets to that middle ground, it's really a difficult decision," said Valentine. "To play short for seven days, it's tough. Scott's not real happy about it. He thinks seven days would be fine. And he's playing so well, I'd love to have him in there. But I think this is the right thing to do."

The left-handed Podsednik has rediscovered his career with the Red Sox after being stuck in the Minor Leagues for all of 2011 and the first six weeks of '12.

He is hitting .387 with one homer, seven RBIs and six stolen bases in 19 games.